Alcohol and the Aging Senior

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Copyright 2006 Mary Desaulniers

It is New Year's Eve. You have one drink, then another, then a

third. You used to be able to chug down 6 drinks without

consequences. But lately, you've noticed that things are a bit

different. Before dinner is over, you are wobbly; your speech

slurs. Before the night is over, you are spread out on the floor.

You've only had 3 drinks. What happened?

Research shows alcohol has a much stronger effect in the senior

population than in younger people. As you age, you absorb

alcohol more readily. So what used to be standard

twentysomething fare is way too much for you now.

There are reasons for this change.

1.Your body's ratio of water to fat decreases as you age; so

there's less water to dilute the alcohol.

2.Your aging body does not metabolize alcohol as easily as it

did in your youth; your body produces less liver enzymes that

help break down alcohol.

3.If you are on prescription or over-the-counter medication,

alcohol can compound the risk of collapse and falls; in fact,

alcohol can produce an impaired effect with about half of the

100 drugs used frequently by seniors.

4.The aging body has more body fat which does not absorb alcohol.

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Changes in body chemistry that accompany the aging process can

certainly be seen as one factor to explain the prevalence of

alcoholism in seniors. The AMA estimates that about 3 million

Americans over the age of 60 have a drinking problem. At least

10 percent of patients who go to an emergency room with alcohol

related problems are over 60 years of age. As much as 20 percent

of elderly patients( 55 and older) in emergency rooms exhibit

symptoms of alcoholism. And in many nursing homes, the problem

of drinking is even more acute--as high as 49 percent in some

studies.

In fact, researchers feel that these statistics are much lower

than what they are in reality. Because alcohol problems in the

senior population are usually mistaken for other conditions

associated with the aging process, very often, alcohol abuse and

alcoholism in the senior population may go undiagnosed and

untreated.

Yet studies have also shown that moderate drinking confers

benefits to the aging population. Alcohol consumed in moderate

amounts can raise HDL levels of the so -called "good"

cholesterol; it can also prevent blood clots, heart attacks and

ischemic strokes. Studies have demonstrated that men who drink

one alcoholic beverage a day have a significantly lower risk of

death compared with those who rarely or never drink. A French

study completed in 2002 also shows that moderate drinking can

lower the incidence of dementia in the aging population.

Despite these benefits, the dangers of alcohol are considerable.

The incidents of driving problems are high in the elderly

population. Any potential benefit of alcohol is more than

cancelled by the dangers in alcohol -related diseases such as

addictive alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver, high blood

pressure and depression. Alcohol has also been shown to produce

deficits in intellectual and behavior functioning. It may

accelerate normal aging or cause premature aging of the brain.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques have shown more extensive

brain tissue loss in subjects with alcoholism than in those

without alcoholism. And research also shows that shrinkage of

the frontal lobe increases with the consumption of alcohol.

So what can seniors do to understand their own threshold of

alcohol consumption?

Here are a few guidelines:

1 .If you don't drink, don't start. The risks far outweigh the

benefits.

2 .If you do drink, limit yourself to one drink a day ( 4-5

drinks over the course of a week).

3. Do not engage in binge drinking which can bring about

irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, increased risk for

heart disease and strokes.

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4. If you are on medication, do not drink at all. Even over the

counter drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin or tylenol, when taken

with alcohol, can damage stomach lining and cause liver

problems. Alcohol, taken with antihistamines, is known to

increase drowsiness and can lead to impaired driving or

accidents.

5. If you feel you have a drinking problem, consult your

physician and be proactive about getting treatment options. Call

your local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous or Rational Recovery

for help.

About the author:

A runner for 27 years, retired schoolteacher and writer, Mary is

now doing what she loves--running,writing,helping people reclaim

their bodies. Nutrition, exercise, positive vision and

purposeful engagement are the tools used to turn their bodies

into creative selves. You can subscribe to Mary's newsletter by

contacting her at http://www.GreatBodyafter50secrets.com or

visit her at http://www.GreatBodyat50.com

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